Apple vs. Google vs. Facebook vs. Amazon

The Lines Between Software and Hardware Continue to Blur

By

Jessica E. Lessin,

Greg Bensinger,

Evelyn M. Rusli and

Amir Efrati

Updated Dec. 25, 2012 6:58 p.m. ET

Four big technology fiefs—Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Google Inc. and Facebook Inc.—have been creeping into each other's turf for years. In 2013, their war is set to escalate around two fronts: hardware and search.

Software giants including Google and Amazon are interested in ramping up hardware to boost customer loyalty and to extend control over their software services and the revenues that flow from them. That is heightening...